Learning to Sow Generously
“The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9: 6-9
I spent last summer reading through 1 and 2 Corinthians with a dear friend, and I didn’t know how much I needed to read these verses above until they hit me square in the eyes.
So often I read this section of 2 Corinthians as though it was only about money, when in fact, I feel like God is teaching me about all the areas of my life that I have to sow into. Each of us has been given a specific portion from God. Financially, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, physically, you name it, it’s been given to us. And what I have been really encouraged by after continuing to come back to these verses is the question, “where am I choosing to sow generously?”
How am I choosing to sow my time? Am I devoting more time to seeking God’s word or scrolling through social media? Am I making time to be with people who lift me up or am I surrounding myself with negativity or isolation?
How am I choosing to sow my love? Do I withhold love from those who need it because I’m worried about running out, or am I generous with my love by acknowledging, listening to, and loving deeply those God puts in my path every day?
How am I choosing to sow my finances? Am I blowing money on things that only bring my momentary satisfaction, or am I choosing to invest the money God has blessed me with in blessing others?
I love that this passage doesn’t tell us the exact amount we are supposed to give; we’ve all been given different capacities for each area of our lives in different seasons, and God is kind to help us learn to listen and decide what we can do in joy.
But I am continually struck by the promise that where we choose to sow generously, we will reap generously, and where we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. It makes me want to be more and more generous with my time, finances, and love, because God also promises that he will give us the grace to give what we decide. He is a good Father and always provides for us.
So my encouragement to you today is this: look at your life. Where are you sowing generously? Where are you holding back? Let us be open to asking God to show us where we can give more of His love to the world, and let us trust Him that where sow these things, we will see Him provide abundantly so that we can reap more than we would ever imagine!